Pearl River property off North Lincoln Street defaced with racist, anti-Semitic graffiti during weekend.

PEARL RIVER – The day after racist and anti-Semitic graffiti was discovered on property and cars at a home off North Lincoln Street, the owner, neighbors and police were left wondering why the family was targeted.

Orangetown police are viewing the vandalism as a potential hate crime.

The family – real estate brokers Barbara Gross Bernasconi and Steve Bernasconi – live on property nestled off the road, down a long driveway in a wooded area. The slashing of tires and spray-painted swastikas, a racist epithet and the words "white power" felt personal and angry, homeowners said.

"This was done by angry people," Barbara Gross Bernasconi said Monday. "I don't believe this was against us. At least I hope not. I would then be really scared. As a Jew, I don't like waking up to see swastikas all over my cars."

She said there were people in the neighborhood attending a party.

"My husband and I don't have problems with anyone," she said. "The slurs hit everyone, not just Jews. I think it was some kids who were mad at somebody."

Neighbors were flabbergasted. The neighborhood, lined with trees, neatly trimmed lawns and basketball hoops in driveways, has not been the target of hate graffiti. There have been some burglaries and robberies in the suburban community, off Crooked Hill Road and Route 304.

"This is something that doesn't happen here," 20-year resident Bill Corcoran said, standing in his driveway next door to the Bernasconis' property. "They are nice people who don't bother anyone. I don't understand why someone would do this.

"I would say it's stupid, ignorant kids," he said.

Detective Lt. James Brown said investigators were equally perplexed.

"We're not sure why they were targeted, or if they were," Brown said. "We get graffiti but not with anti-Semitic and racist content like this, as far as I remember."

Some readers responding to a Facebook posting about the graffiti commented that the predominantly white, Christian hamlet had a reputation for not being welcoming to outsiders. But Beth Am Temple Rabbi Daniel Pernick said no community was immune to hate speech and graffiti.

"You can find isolated incidents and this certainly is not a prevailing problem in this community," he said. "This is the work of someone who is sick and angry. While it's certainly not a pattern, it's still a concern. None of us wants to wake up and find swastikas and racism."

Downtown Pearl River several years ago had an incident during the Christmas-Hannukah season with vandalism to the menorah and creche, with the baby Jesus figurine being stolen.

Brown said the Lincoln Street vandals might be young people, but detectives had not drawn any conclusions.

The vandalism occurred between 11 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday. Two of the vehicles were parked in the driveway and third on the street, Brown said.

Graffiti defaced side windows, windshields, the hoods and rear of the vehicles, Brown said. One vehicle also had three tires slashed.

Anyone with information is asked to call Orangetown police at 845-359-3700.